Montana Dude Ranches

Known as “The Big Sky State” and “The Last Best Place”, Montana is truly a state of vast open spaces, incredible wilderness, and stunning scenery. It seems the proper place for a dude ranch vacation; and Montana vacation ranches do take advantage of their spectacular surroundings, leading guests into national parks, through the Rocky Mountains, and across the prairie land of the northern Great Plains.

Glacier National Park lies in the northwest corner of the state, bordering the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. It draws millions of visitors annually, and with good reason. The park is home to wilderness and wildlife, over 700 miles of trails, and countless opportunities for all kinds of outdoor recreation, from horseback riding to boating.

Three of the five entrances to Yellowstone National Park are located in the state of Montana. A place long believed to be a figment of imagination or delirium, the geothermal features of Yellowstone do indeed seem fantastical. Yet it is also clearly a unique place, and it was not long after the first organized expeditions returned with reports of boiling mud, spouting geysers and mountainous lava flows that Yellowstone was designated a national park.

Some dude ranches in Montana offer guests the opportunity to drive cattle, like a real cowboy. Others specialize in sharing the wonders of fly fishing on pristine rivers and mountain streams. Dude ranches provide opportunities for hiking, rafting, and even hunting. Some shower guests in luxury, with spa packages and gourmet meals; others make you feel like a part of the family, with homestyle meals and marshmallow roasts around campfires. Whatever your idea of the perfect dude ranch vacation, you will surely find it in Montana.